> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucas-samaras · updated 2026-11-03

# Lucas Samaras (1936–2024)

## What is Lucas Samaras’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 163 auction results for Lucas Samaras at 14 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,345 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,080–$15,520, n=42). The auction record is $406,400 for Box #110 (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Box #110, 1983 | Wooden box construction with acrylic, yarn, glass beads, plastic, metal, fabric and collage | $406,400 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 2 | Box #118, 1987 | Wood box construction—rhinestones, beads, yarn, marbles, wire, nails, pins, plastic, fabric, paint, printed paper and photographic collage | $350,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 3 | Box #62, 1967 | Glass | $340,200 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Chair Transformation #20B, 1996 | Bronze | $327,600 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Box #131, 1989 | Acrylic paint | $312,500 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | Box #40, 1965 | Cartes-de-visite | $302,400 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 7 | Box #102, 1977 | Box construction--wood, metal, printed fabric, paint, printed paper collage and pencils | $281,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 8 | Box #123, 1988 | Wooden box construction with found objects—rhinestones, yarn, beads, mirrors, metal, wood, paint, plastic, glass, needles, shells, pin, porcelain, glass eye, cotton padding, printed paper collage and wire | $256,000 | Christie's | Oct 2026 |
| 9 | Box #51, 1966 | Painted wooden construction with coloured yarns, plastic jewels, coloured acetate, electric light bulb, glass bottle and magne-matic stirrer kinetic | $221,924 | Roseberys London | Mar 2023 |
| 10 | Pin Box, 1963 | Marble | $156,250 | Christie's | May 2019 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 11 | $30,000 |
| Paintings | 13 | $17,625 |
| Other | 44 | $11,650 |
| Works on paper | 45 | $9,980 |
| Photographs | 31 | $7,650 |
| Prints | 8 | $519 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $20,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $14,375 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 88 | $9,525 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 163 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lucas Samaras is an American artist with 213 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $9,525. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Lucas Samaras sold in 2026 for $256,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lucas Samaras work worth?

Across 161 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucas Samaras work is $9,525.

The median Lucas Samaras photograph sells for $7,040 across 42 lots.

The median Lucas Samaras work on paper sells for $10,668 across 41 lots.

The median Lucas Samaras print sells for $1,062 across 13 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Lucas Samaras work on papers typically sell for $8,194–$18,550 (the middle half of 34 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Lucas Samaras photographs typically sell for $4,998–$11,719 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 22 | $1,062† | $6,600 | 59.1% | 2025-10-23 |
| Paintings | 19 | $14,892 | $81,250 | 63.2% | 2026-09-23 |
| Works on Paper | 44 | $10,668 | $75,000 | 93.2% | 2025-10-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 10 | $30,000 | $327,600 | 90% | 2026-09-21 |
| Photography | 50 | $7,040 | $302,400 | 84% | 2026-09-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $291,700 | $406,400 | — | 2026-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Lucas Samaras's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (22 lots) median $1,062 with 59.1% sell-through. Paintings (19 lots) median $14,892, record $81,250. A typical Lucas Samaras painting sells for around 14× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $291,700.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $356–$1,209† | $680† | $5,080 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $5,307–$33,262 | $19,080 | $39,754 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $8,194–$18,550 | $10,668 | $75,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $8,141–$14,688 | $10,970 | $16,380 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $8,870–$31,380 | $16,640 | $156,250 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $4,998–$11,719 | $7,650 | $58,554 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $327,600 |
| Photography | 2022 | $302,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $156,250 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $81,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $75,000 |
| Photography | 2015 | $58,554 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $50,000 |
| Paintings | 2004 | $39,754 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Lucas Samaras worth?

Across 161 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucas Samaras work is $9,525. The median Lucas Samaras photograph sells for $7,040 across 42 lots. The median Lucas Samaras work on paper sells for $10,668 across 41 lots. The median Lucas Samaras print sells for $1,062 across 13 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Lucas Samaras work on papers typically sell for $8,194–$18,550 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Lucas Samaras photographs typically sell for $4,998–$11,719 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Lucas Samaras photograph?

Based on 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucas Samaras photograph is $7,040.

### What is Lucas Samaras's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucas Samaras photograph is $302,400.

### What is the average price of a Lucas Samaras work on paper?

Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucas Samaras work on paper is $10,668.

### What is Lucas Samaras's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucas Samaras work on paper is $75,000.

### What is the average price of a Lucas Samaras print?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucas Samaras print is $1,062. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lucas Samaras's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucas Samaras print is $6,600.

### What is the average price of a small Lucas Samaras work on paper?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lucas Samaras work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,668, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Lucas Samaras photograph?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lucas Samaras photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,650, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Lucas Samaras's auction record?

Lucas Samaras's auction record is $406,400, set in 2023.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Lucas Samaras auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucas-samaras (updated 2026-11-03).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.